s part of the city. For a
while he only studied signs and looked into great show-windows; and he
became more and more confident as he thought how many different ways
there were for a really smart boy to make a fortune in New York. He
decided to try one way at just about nine o'clock.

"The city's a busy place!" thought Jack, as he walked along. "Some
difference between the way they rush along on Monday and the way they
loitered all day Sunday!"

He even walked faster because the stream of men carried him along. It
made him think of the Cocahutchie.

"I'll try one of these big clothing places," he said, about nine
o'clock. "I'll see what wages they're giving. I know something about
tailoring."

He paused in front of a wide and showy-looking store on Broadway. He
drew a long breath and went in. The moment he entered he was
confronted by a very fat, smiling gentleman, who bowed and asked:

"What can we do for you, sir?"

"I'd like to know if you want a boy," said Jack, "and what wages you're
giving. I know--"

"After a place? Oh, yes. That's the man you ought to see," said the
jocose floor-walker, pointing to a spruce salesman behind a counter,
and winking at him from behind Jack.

The business of the day had hardly begun, and the idle salesman saw the
wink. Jack walked up to him and repeated his inquiry.

"Want a place, eh? Where are you from? Been long in the business?"

Jack told him about Crofield, and about the "merchant tailors" there,
and gave a number of particulars before the very dignified and
sober-faced salesman's love of fun was satisfied; and then the salesman
said:

"I can't say. You'd better talk with that man yonder."

There was another wink, and Jack went to "that man," to answer another
string of questions, some of which related to his family, and the
Sunday-school he attended; and then he was sent on to another man, and
another, and to as many more, until at last he heard a gruff voice
behind him asking, "What does that fellow want? Send him to me!"

Jack turned toward the voice, and saw a glass "coop," as he called it,
all glass panes up to above his head, excepting one wide, semicircular
opening in the middle. The clerk to whom Jack was talking at that
moment suddenly became very sober.

"Head of the house!" he exclaimed to himself. "Whew! I didn't know
he'd come;" Then he said to Jack: "The head partner is at the
cashier's desk. Speak to him."

Jack stepped fo